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Worms are a common parasite that cats are susceptible to. Fortunately, treating and preventing worms is easy with the right product.
A dewormer kills parasites while leaving your cat unharmed, allowing the dead worms to pass in your cat’s stool. Your cat should be given a dewormer that is not only safe for their age and weight but also treats the type of worm they are infected with.
There are a few telltale signs of worms in older cats, but kittens need to be dewormed regularly until they reach a certain age. If you are concerned about harmful ingredients, you may want to opt for an all-natural deworming medication, which is often more expensive than other types. Dewormers can come in the form of a liquid or a tablet — you should choose the type you think will be easiest to give to your cat.
A dewormer is an integral part of maintaining your cat or kitten’s health, and a period of regular treatment is often required to eradicate worms. Our top choice is the Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats, which only needs to be applied once a month to keep your cat free of parasites.
Item Form: Topical Solution | Dosing: Monthly | Breed Size: Medium Breeds | Ingredients: Selamectin (60 mg) and Sarolaner (10 mg)
Revolution Plus Topical Solution for Cats offers 6-in-1 protection against common parasites like fleas, ticks and heartworms. You apply it once a month, meaning you don't have to deal with the stress of pills.
Your cat is protected from a range of pests that can cause harm, whether it stays indoors or ventures outside. However, some users have reported that it’s unsuitable for cats with sensitive skin, causing burns or hair loss. Still, these concerns are few and far between.
If you're considering an all-encompassing solution, Revolution Plus is a good choice. Just be sure to choose the correct option for your cat's weight range to get the correct dosage.
Item Form: Liquid | Ingredients: Piperazine citrate| Dog Breed Size: Large | Target Species: Cat, Dog
Chew + Heal Dog and Cat Dewormer gives you a reliable solution for managing roundworms effectively. The piperazine citrate formula paralyzes and expels worms, and its liquid form makes it easy to sneak into drinks or water.
All in all, it truly offers value for the money, giving your pets the care they deserve without breaking the bank. It's safe for cats six weeks and up.
Item Form: Tablets | Age Range: 6 weeks and older | Specific Uses: Removal of common tapeworms in cats
Elanco Dewormer for Tapeworms for Cats removes common tapeworms in a single dose, which means less hassle for you and less stress for your cat.
It's particularly convenient as you can crumble the tablets into food, making it easy to administer. Plus, there's no need to fast your pet, which is a relief!
While some users mention that the pill size can be tricky for smaller cats, the overall effectiveness make this a solid choice.
If you have a kitten, answering this question is easy: your pet needs to be treated for worms. This is standard treatment for all kittens below the age of three months. Kittens can be given dewormers starting at six weeks of age and should be treated every two weeks until they are three months old.
In older cats, some symptoms of worm infections include:
Vomiting
Worms near anus or in stool
Coughing
Weight loss
Distended stomach
Diarrhea
While these symptoms can be indicative of worms, some may be signs of a different illness. Either way, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you are able to identify which type of worm your cat is infected with, you should purchase a medication designed to treat that type of worm. Your vet may be able to help you identify what type of worm your cat has by noting your cat’s specific symptoms.
Cats may be infected with:
Tapeworm
Roundworm
Heartworm
Hookworm
Whipworm
Ringworm
Worms may come from cats eating infected rodents, drinking infected water, being bitten by fleas and ticks, or coming into contact with other cats with worms. As a result, outdoor-indoor cats are far more susceptible to worms than indoor-only cats.
Many medications target specific types of worms, but some can treat a variety of worms.
Most dewormers list restrictions involving your cat’s age and weight. In most cases, the cat must be above a certain age or weight to be given the medication without any adverse effects. Never disregard warnings about age or weight restrictions.
There are four main types of dewormers, each of which varies in its ease of administration.
Liquid dewormers can be given to cats directly or put over a cat’s food. Many cat owners feel this is the easiest option, though cats may detect that something is amiss with their food and avoid eating it.
Tablets are often flavored and may be chewable, though cats may not be willing to eat them. Crushing them over food can often trick cats into taking tablets. Some may be pills, which can be challenging to give to cats as they cannot be chewed.
Topical dewormers are applied at the base of the neck, so there’s no need to worry about the cat refusing to eat a tablet or take a liquid.
Some dewormers use all-natural ingredients. If you try to avoid giving your cats any chemicals and give them all-natural food, consider dewormers that avoid chemicals or synthetic ingredients. These may be more expensive and their effectiveness can vary, so you should carefully research natural dewormers.
Inexpensive: The least expensive dewormers start around $5 to $10 per bottle. These are typically designed to treat a variety of worms and may come in different forms. The low quantity in this price range means you may need to restock frequently.
Mid-range: Most dewormers for cats fall in the $10 to $20 range and may treat specific types of worms or a variety of worms. These can be administered in a variety of ways, but they are rarely all-natural.
Expensive: Dewormers for $20 to $40 likely either come with several doses or use all-natural ingredients. Many products in this range are the same ones recommended by veterinarians, as they are usually extremely effective.
Worms can be harmful not only to your cats but also to your other pets and your children, as it is possible for worms to pass from a cat to a human through contact.
To reduce the chance of a worm infection, consider taking these precautionary steps:
Follow all your veterinarian’s recommendations for deworming treatments.
Ask your vet about preventative medications.
Inspect cat stools for any signs of worms regularly, especially if your cats go outdoors.
Keep your yard free of any animal feces.
Consider keeping your cats indoors if they frequently contract worms.
Treat your cat with a tick and flea preventative.
We looked for dosing clarity by age & weight, safety notes, and everyday usability. We also examined broad patterns in verified owner feedback to surface consistent outcomes.
From there, we weighed trade-offs by use case: targeted, single-dose tapeworm treatments for confirmed issues versus broad monthly preventives that also cover fleas, mites, ticks, and heartworm. We assessed value as cost per effective use or per month, including pack size and long-term convenience. Our goal was to give you a clear, balanced look at how each option performs so you can choose the best fit for your cat’s needs and your routine.
A. Cats should be dewormed at least once per year. With outdoor cats, you should treat them with a dewormer two to three times per year, or more frequently if cats regularly eat rodents.
A. In most cases, it ranges from one to two years. The bottle or packaging should list the expiration date. After this date, the dewormer should be discarded.
A. No. The dosage varies based on your cat’s weight and age, and it can be harmful or ineffective to administer the incorrect dosage.
